Hewitt Steps Down: UK's Border Security Command Seeks New Leader

0:00On March 20th, Martin Hewitt, the former police chief leading the UK's border security command, is stepping down after just 18 months on the bus. Job. He was appointed by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to cut down on small boat crossings in the English Channel and target smuggling gangs. Now ministers are arranging an interim replacement before finding someone permanent, with Hewitt leaving at the end of the month. Despite the role's high hopes, small boat arrivals have kept climbing, hitting the second highest number last year. Hewitt had voiced frustration over delays from French authorities and stopping boats before they launch, and he noted that real deterrence would take time to show results. The home office praised his work in uniting agencies and partners against smugglers, plus pushing the new border security, asylum, and immigration act through. Meanwhile, conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp blamed labor's policies, like scrapping the Rwanda deportation plan for the ongoing issues, rather than pointing fingers

1:01at Hewitt. Hewitt brought decades of policing experience, including time as chair of the National Police Chiefs Council. The government had hailed his hiring as a shift, away from quick fixes, towards serious international enforcement. As the search for his successor ramps up, the challenge of managing channel crossings remains front and center for the labor team.